Today is Day 361 of my Daily Food Diary! With only FIVE more days to go, I should finish off my 2025 Daily Food Diary Challenge without one single glitch! 😁
My Daily WINS since I posted yesterday were pretty cool:
1) Dan and I watched not one, but TWO movies last night and we enjoyed both of them.. “The Hitman’s Body Guard” and “Hitman’s Wife’s Body Guard”.
2) Making bacon.. not just any BACON, son Dan’s home smoked bacon that I fried up for breakfast this morning – to perfection!
Son Dan’s Traeger Smoker/Barbecue – where all the magic happens. (Husband Dan starting the Father’s Day Prime Rib.)
3) Getting my aerobics done yesterday, plus a bit of snow removal from our front and back steps and clearing Molly’s track on our side patio. (It was way more about getting a bit of fresh air than getting a workout.)
My Daily Food Diary WIN was a super special one for me.
This win was all about practicing self discipline, which came in handy over the past few days. Having a houseful of sweet treats following a couple of major hits to my compromised lungs, was NOT a good thing – but I was able to keep my indulgence in check! I even managed to take a pass on the rootbeer I really wanted with my nachos last last night, and today I reaped the reward.
Short term pain for long term gain! 97 percent blood oxygen is VERY GOOD and would not have happened if my lungs were clogged with thick mucus caused by ingesting excess sugar.
This win is the heart and soul of my Health and Wellness Journey. It isn’t about winning medals or beauty contests, or living forever. It is ALL about Living Well and Feeling Good.
Today I feel Good! ☺️
Daily Food Diary – Day 361
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1) c Mini Wheats (190)
(1/4) c 2% milk (28)
Lunch:
(1) cabbage rolls (120)
(1) pc chocolate coconut bar (225)
Snacks:
(1) c tea
(1) chocolate toffee (63)
(1) c caramel corn (170)
(48) Oz water
Supper:
(1 1/2) serving nachos (865)
Total consumed calories: 1663
Total used calories: 171
(30) minutes aerobics (171)
Total net calories: 1492
Net calorie goal: 1208 – 1492 = 284 over 👎
Thats it for today. Take care and have a great day! 💞🤗
Northern lights lighting up the sky in Southern Saskatchewan
Yesterday after I posted my blog, I hit a setback of sorts on my way to recovery. I did get the livingroom floor done, decorations up, and some general tidying up done before I crashed. My surgical wound was swollen and ITCHY and I was just exhausted. Fortunately, today I am back on track and I feel just FINE!
So, for today’s wins:
1) I feel FINE!
2) Dan, Amanda, and family are on the road and the roads are in relatively good shape today. (Much better than usual these days!) We are looking forward to seeing them and their pups.
Bacardii & Cornelius
3) We have sunshine today! Once again, Dan and Molly walked without me due to the cold and the poor walking conditions which I am not quite ready to tackle – but it is uplifting to see the sunshine, nonetheless!
My Daily Food Diary roundupWIN for the day…
Balance – Balancing calories, protein, cholesterol (saturated fats), and collagen was a challenge for sure – but it is something that I have, and continue to, work on!
Air fried chicken wings – high in collagen, protein and calories – relatively low in fat. 🤷♀️
Daily Food Diary – Day 354
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(3) crumpets (240)
(2) tsp butter (69)
(1) tbsp jam (50)
Lunch:
(2) Harvest hotdogs (320)
(8) Hint of Lime tortilla chips (200)
(1) pc Christmas cake (240)
Supper:
(1 1/2) c stirfry with beefsteak, vegetables, and udon noodles (714)
Total consumed calories: 1835
Total used calories: 0
Total net calories: 1835
Net calories goal: 1208 – 1835 = 627 over 👎
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great Sunday! 🤨💞
Yesterday in my blog, I wrote about my yeast allergy and how it has affected my health.
I was born with three health issues – asthma (which I was diagnosed with in my thirties), allergies (I have been officially diagnosed with environmental allergies but have yet to be tested and officially diagnosed with food allergies), and a collagen disorder/deficiency.
Of the three health issues – the collagen issue has been the most detrimental when it comes to my quality of life. For the first fifty some years of my life, I struggled with head to toe issues that affected me physically and emotionally. The most difficult part being that I had absolutely no idea why I struggled so much – just that I did!
Finally, in my fifties, my grandson was diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome – Type 3 (a genetic mutation that affects the collagen in one’s body. I started searching reputable health sites on the internet and I discovered information regarding not only the prevalence and importance of collagen in our bodies – but that the information described me and my long standing health issues perfectly. During the past twenty years, others in my immediate and extended family have likewise been diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos 3 and/or with relative collagen issues.
Doctors that I have seen have brushed me off EVERY time I have brought up the subject. My respiratory therapist acknowledged the possibility that EDS could be affecting my respiratory system and my optometrist explained how it does affect my eyes.
Just having a solid lead as to the root of so many of my health issues has helped me immensely. For the first time ever, I understand my body. I have been able to make lifestyle changes that have helped me to live better.
This year, I began taking collagen supplements to see if they could possibly be of any benefit – particularly to my muscles and joints. While I had found a lot of information on collagen and Ehlers Danlos – I did not find much suggesting collagen supplements would be beneficial.
In the first two months, I noticed positive results to my nails, hair, skin, muscles, and joints. I was starting to notice an improvement to my sinuses. Then I saw my respirologist who put me on a course of antibiotics and 50mg Prednisone per day for ten days. (In a follow up visit, blood tests and X-rays indicated a possible minor infection/inflammation – which my respirologist said was nothing but that I had extra prescriptions on file if I required them. For an infection that I didn’t really have in the first place ?)
Within a few days of starting the antibiotics and Prednisone, I noticed that I was losing the benefits that I had been getting from the collagen supplements. My nails were breaking, my hair was thinning and falling, I was feeling like a dishrag and struggling to exercise with 5 pound weights.
I went back to the medical sites on the internet and found evidence that Prednisone inhibits the synthesis of collagen. The same Prednisone that doctors had been prescribing to me regularly (up to six times a year) for decades.
I continued to take the Collagen Supplements and once again (as the effects from the Prednisone wore off) began to see positive results. Except, that four months in, not only am I seeing an improvement to my nails, hair, skin, muscles, and joints, sinuses – I am feeling a notable improvement to the airways throughout my respiratory system. Despite, having recent issues with a flare up of environmental allergies, I can breathe easily. I can lay down or recline back in my chair without feeling like my airways are collapsing and that I am smothering. And I have upped my weights to eight pounders because the five pounders just weren’t cutting it. 👍
These are the Collagen Supplements that I have been using. (From Amazon Canada)
Once again, my point being that it is up to us to be proactive when it comes to our health. It is nothing against medical professionals – they save lives. But – we each live in our own body, day in and day out. And when it comes to resolving chronic health issues that matters – especially as we age.
Daily Food Diary – Day 306
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(2) potato patties (240)
(2) eggs (160)
(2) slices thick cut bacon (170)
(1) tsp butter (34)
(1) tomato (22)
Snacks:
(3) black licorice Twizzlers (68)
(1) tbsp local raw honey (40)
(48) oz water
Supper:
(2) c fried rice w/rice, pork, red onion, mushrooms, celery, red pepper, soya sauce, olive oil, butter (237)
(2) egg rolls (377)
(1) tsp plum sauce (12)
Total consumed calories: 1362
Total used calories: 110
(1) hr food prep/cooking/cleanup (110)
Total net calories: 1252
Net calories goal: 1208 – 1252 = 44 over 👎
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 💝🤗
Wood carving for sale in Deadwood, South Dakota – it probably would have come home with me if our grandbabies were still small enough to ride it…
For the past few weeks, I have been struggling to eat as well, or to eat less poorly, than I would hope to be doing at this point.
From early September when I went through my latest round of antibiotics and Prednisone to the last few days when my allergies have been out of control, it seems that there is always one thing or another. My appetite is up, but my inclination to prepare nutritious meals or snacks is way down. 🙄
I am too close to finishing this 365 day Challenge to stop now, so I persist.
Unfortunately….
Persistence is not enough. One must decide whether to persist as a sufferer or persist as a warrior. – author unknown
I thought of this quote earlier this morning when I took Molly for her morning walk. It was just Molly and I and it didn’t start off well. I was feeling pretty rough and Molly wasn’t feeling particularly co-operative.
At first, I was hesitant to commit. I walked her around our block. I reluctantly, decided to keep going past our house and try for another block…and another. Finally I reached a point where I either turned back or pushed out of my comfort zone and went the distance.
We went the distance!
Either way, it would have been a win. Either way, it would have been a walk and some fresh air. But with a change of attitude, we went the distance and that felt pretty empowering today!
Now, I just have to warrior up in the kitchen and get my diet on track. 😊
Daily Food Diary – Day 303
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(3) Eggo Waffles (270)
(2) tsp butter (68)
(2) tbsp Maple syrup (104)
(3) sl. Bacon (130)
Snacks:
(48) oz water
(3) black licorice Twizzlers (68)
(1/4) hickory almonds (180)
(6) mini chocolate treats (240)
Supper:
(1) bowl Campbell’s chicken noodle soup (120)
(1) sourdough bun (190)
(2) slices havarti cheese (160)
(2) tsp butter (68)
Total consumed calories: 1600
Total used calories: 0
Total net calories: 1600
Net calories goal: 1208 – 1600 = 392 over 👎
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! ❤️😊
Yesterday was a pretty good day. I only made one block of the walk I set out on with Dan and Molly. I could have handled the cold and wind, but the rain was a bit much. I came home and did my aerobics and weights – plus I did half an hour on the treadmill before supper. 👍
For supper last night, I decided we should indulge in some Taco Time. One of the most mind-boggling things I have found since I began tracking my Daily Food Diary is how many calories there are in such meals. I knew it was bad, but I had no idea. 🤦
Obviously, last night’s indulgence is a hard one to report on my Daily Food Diary, but it’s all about balance. Last night, I was balancing out the salad I had for supper on Saturday. 🙄
Last night, for the second night in a row, we put the air purifier from our living room in our bedroom. I slept really well both nights and with minimal coughing before I fell asleep and after I woke up. I have to try it for a few days, but we might have to get another one before we get tired of hauling this one back and forth between rooms.
Daily Food Diary – Day 293
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1) c Cinnamon Cheerios (200)
(1/4) c 2% milk (28)
Lunch:
(4) air fried chicken wing flats & (4) drummets (440)
(14) Lay’s lightly salted ripple chips (140)
(36) oz water
(8) oz lemon water
Supper:
(1) 12 oz A & W Rootbeer (170)
(1) Small Mexi Fries (265)
(2) hardshell tacos (520)
(1) crisp meat burrito (390)
Total calories consumed: 2155
Total calories used: 329
(30) min aerobics (176)
(30) min weights (73)
(30) min treadmill (80)
Total net calories: 1826
Net calories goal: 1229 – 1826 = 597 over 👎
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! ❤️😊
Today it is three and a half months since I started taking collagen supplements.
Throughout July and August, I noticed multiple benefits – from easing stiff achy hands, stronger longer nails, thicker stronger hair (and a virtual end to hair loss), improved muscle strength – especially in my hands and upper body, increased stability in my joints, and best of all increased stability in my sinuses and airways.
At the beginning of September, I saw my respirologist and, because I was still coughing up an abundance of mucus, he put me on a round of antibiotics and Prednisone. Neither of which have ever agreed with me – but which at times were deemed a medical necessity.
Throughout September I suffered the loss of a lot of the benefits from the collagen supplements. It started gradually with broken nails and shedding hairs and went downhill from there.
Sometime in this demoralizing period I ran across articles that claimed Prednisone can/does inhibit collagen synthesis. (That makes so much sense considering my history – despite the fact that I had continued to take my collagen supplements.)
I finished this last round of Prednisone on September 13th. Last week things finally began to turn around. Again, I noticed the improvements first in my hands, then nails, then hair ….
This morning, I went for a walk with Dan and Molly. Despite 100 percent humidity, I went the full distance, barely feeling the humidity until the last few blocks. 🥳💓
6 degrees Celsius – 42.8 degrees Fahrenheit
I am so so excited that this setback appears to be behind me! Hopefully I can avoid any more setbacks (and Prednisone) going forward! Most of all, I am excited that once again, I feel that I am capable of moving forward, stronger, and healthier! 🎈
Daily Food Diary – Day 287
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1) plain paratha (240)
(1) tbsp jam (50)
(1) tbsp peanut butter (105)
Lunch:
(2) pork eggrolls (360)
(4) Gyoza (133)
Snacks:
(48) oz water
(1) c turkey broth (100)
Supper:
(2 1/2) c spaghetti with tomato meat sauce/peppers/onions/mushrooms/garlic (718)
Total consumed calories: 1708
Total used calories: 310
(30) min walking (83)
(30) min aerobics (176)
(15) min treadmill steep incline (52)
Total net calories: 1398
Net calories goal: 1229 – 1398 = 168 over 👎
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 💞😊
Seventy Days left of 2025 and so far I haven’t missed a single day of keeping up and posting my Daily Food Diary!
No matter what, I have not missed a single day! That is more than I can say for the rest of my daily routine.
Having chronic health issues, there is the potential for multiple wins, if one is willing to make health a priority. Unfortunately, there is also the risk of unavoidable setbacks.
Having been diagnosed with asthma, bronchiectasis, and COPD – weather, seasonal allergies, environmental pollution, and more can trigger flare ups. Flare ups also make one more susceptible to infection, which is routinely treated with antibiotics and Prednisone – both of which have detrimental effects on my health.
In early September I went through my latest setback complete with a round of antibiotics and prednisone. I am finally seeing the last of these effects wearing off and feeling ready to get back on track. 👍
Last night we had a visit from our Granddaughter Genie. Over tea – and a last minute supper of Oriental appetizers, we had a chat about investment strategies. A topic Genie had expressed interest in recently. We talked about everything from stocks and bonds to mutual funds – but mostly we discussed the different tax saving accounts available to keep them in. Not a particularly exciting topic, but important for a young couple starting out – looking to buy their first home, start a family, save for major expenses, and ultimately plan for retirement.
I’m no financial expert, but I do have an idea of what is available, where to find more information, and who to go to for the level of advice that I cannot provide.
Fresh from the wedding and ready to plan for the responsibilities of their life together.
The great thing about helping Genie and Alec with anything like this is knowing that they will pass anything they learn down to their younger siblings, when the time comes.
Daily Food Diary – Day 286
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1) c cinnamon oatmeal crunch Cheerios (200)
(1/4) c milk (28)
Lunch:
(2) c turkey broth (200)
(2 1/2) oz turkey (115)
Snacks:
(36) oz water
(1) c licorice tea
(12) oz 7up (140)
(1/3) c mixed nuts (216)
Dinner:
(1) egg roll (189)
(2) Gyoza (67)
(2) tempura shrimp (70)
(2) shrimp nests (52)
(1) PC Buttermilk chicken (120)
(1) tsp Gyoza sauce (5)
(1) tsp plum sauce (12)
(1) tbsp Dilly Dip (50)
Total consumed calories: 1467
Total used calories: 138
(30) min walking (83)
(30) min cooking (56)
Total net calories: 1329
Net calories goal: 1229 – 1329 = 99 over 👎
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 💗☺️
It is 201 Days since I began posting my Daily Food Diary. It is two years since I eliminated yeast from diet and started taking a serious look at improving my diet in general. And, it is three and a half years since I started living a healthier and more active lifestyle.
One would think, I would have it all down to a science by now, but looking at my Food Diary entry from yesterday – obviously NOT.
What is truly ironic, is that yesterday I was messaging back and forth with my sister Lorraine and we were discussing our health issues, our eating habits, and our frustration with North American attitudes towards diet in general. Every day is a celebration – and every celebration needs an overindulgence of poor food choices and alcohol fueled fun. (At least I dodged the alcohol fueled fun. 🙂)
Fortunately, another Monday has come around and it is a new opportunity to dial back on the calories and amp up on the exercise. I’ve been one of the 35% of Canadians living with obesity, and I am not going back there!
We started our Monday with a walk with Molly. Dan and I both struggled with the 100% humidity – as well as with trying to keep Molly out of the burr laden weeds along one stretch of roadway.
We managed to walk a respectable distance – and brought Molly home ready for a nice quiet nap. 👍
Being Monday, I still have my aerobics to do this morning, weights this afternoon, and chicken salad is on the menu for supper. 😊
Daily Food Diary – Day 201
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(2) potato Patties (240)
(2) eggs (160)
(1/4) c shredded marble cheese (114)
(5) asparagus spears (16)
(1) tsp butter (34)
(3) slices bacon (130)
Snacks:
(25) No Name Barbecue Chips (270)
(48) oz water
Supper:
(7) oz New York Strip Steak (546)
(1 1/2) c white rice (363)
(1/2) c red pepper (23)
(1/4) c red onion (15)
(1/2) c celery (8)
(1/2) c mushrooms (22)
(2) tsp butter (69)
(2) tbsp soya sauce (30)
(1) c broccoli (30)
(1/2) c cauliflower (14)
Total net calories: 2086
Net calories goal: 1229 – 2086 = 857 over 👎
* Highlighted items contain significant collagen or significant contribute to the production of collagen
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 😊💞
It is 159 Days since I began posting my Daily Food Diary.
It is also my sister Denise’s birthday! 🎂 I do not remember sharing a home with Denise. I was two years old when she married and moved on to start her own family. Her firstborn is my niece Teenie (Jeanne Christine) who became and remains a ‘little sister’ to me. I don’t see either of them as much as I would like, but they are always in my thoughts. 💞
Back to my Daily Food Diary…. Every month, I choose one aspect of my diet to focus on. This month, it is fruits and vegetables. My goal is to meet the recommendation of the Canada Food Guide and consume 7 servings of fruits and vegetables per day.
Of all of the monthly challenges that I have attempted since starting my Daily Food Diary, I thought this would be the easiest. I love vegetables. I am not so fond of fruit, but since fruit used in baking counts, I was pretty sure this was doable.
I have met or surpassed my goal most days so far. But, I am having issues!
I have been eating more fruit than usual and aside from the expected digestive issues, I am struggling with lung issues. Sugar, whether natural or processed, affects the abundance of mucus that my chronic lung issues produce. With mucus the consistency of wood glue, smoke drifting through from northern forest fires, and our uncooperative weather…. I am struggling. Also, with my sensitivity to yeast, any amount of sugar is too much – again regardless if that sugar is natural or processed.
The vegetables that I have been eating should not be causing me any grief to speak of. However, many of the vegetables that I have been eating cause gas and bloating. It isn’t anything extreme, but with my unresolved epigastric hernia (as I wait for surgery), it is a painful PROBLEM.
So no, this month is not going as well as I thought it would. This week I will be pulling back, but fruits and vegetables will definitely be my focus. I am going to spend some serious time researching lower sugar fruits and less gassy vegetables. Next week, I will be back on track!
Today, Molly is our big project. We have to get her brushed out this morning and take her for another bath.
Daily Food Diary
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1) tsp butter (34)
(1) tsp olive oil (40)
(1) tbsp milk (8)
(2) eggs (160)
(3) slices bacon (130)
(1/2) tomato (11) (1 SVG)
Snacks:
(8) oz Clamato Juice (60) (1 SVG)
(25) light salt ripple chips (270)
Supper:
(1) Lean gr. Beef Burger (243)
(1/4) c red onion (15) (1/4 SVG)
(1) tbsp horseradish (7) (1/4 SVG)
(5) lg asparagus spears (16) (1/2 SVG)
(1) tsp butter (34)
(2) Dill pickles (10) (2 SVG)
(1) c brown beans (246) (2 SVG)
(1) serving Apple crisp (133) (1)
(1) oz raspberry desert bar (133)
Total net calories: 1886
Net calorie goal: 1238 – 1886 = 648 Over 👎
*** In my defense, I do not work out on Sundays, it was too windy to walk, and I had to test one of the deserts I made for son Dan & family. 🙄
Fruits & vegetables: 8 servings
Fruits & vegetables goal: 7 servings
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 💞☺️
It is 127 Days since I started my Daily Food Diary! 🎉 It has proven to be an effective goal for improving my eating habits. Becoming mindful of anything we do is a good thing keeping a food diary definitely keeps me mindful of what I am eating.
Nutrition is important, but it is just one part of my overall health and fitness lifestyle. This morning, I got to focus on another part – professional medical advice and treatment!
This morning, I paid a visit to my respiratory specialist. Expecting a refill of my regular inhalers and a “Keep doing what you are doing!”, I wasn’t overly concerned about this visit.
Needless to say, I left the specialist’s office with prescriptions for my regular inhalers, antibiotics and oral steroids for bronchitis, nasal spray for ongoing sinus issues, a requisition for a chest x-ray, and an appointment to go back to see the specialist in two weeks. 😢
Asthma, bronchiectasis, COPD and bronchiolitis are chronic health issues. Regardless of how hard you work to maintain a healthy lifestyle, they are always there. It is frustrating, but fortunately I had a regular visit booked this morning, and hopefully we can get a handle on this and move forward – sooner than later!
Daily Food Diary – Day 127
Breakfast –
(1) c coffee (2)
(1) c Shreddies (200)
(1/4) c 2% milk (31) (.8)
(1) tsp sugar (8)
Lunch –
(3) oz dark, skinless turkey (150) (1.9 grams)
(1) c broccoli (31)
(1/2) cup cauliflower (13)
(4) radishes (6)
(1 1/2 tbsp) Dilly Dip (120) (1.9 grams)
(48) oz water
Supper:
(11) chicken wing flats air fried (420) (8)
(1) tbsp Frank’s Xtra Red Hot sauce
(2 1/2) air fried riblets (123) (1.7 grams)
(1) tbsp Frank’s Stingin’ Honey Garlic (40)
(1) carrot (25)
(1/2) c broccoli (20)
(5) slices cucumber (4)
(1/4) c orange bell pepper (9)
(1 1/2 tbsp) Dilly Dip (120) (1.9 grams)
Total net calories: 1168
Net calorie goal: 1243 – 1168 = 75 under 👍
Total saturated fats: 16.2 grams
Saturated fats goal: <13.75 grams 👎
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! ❤️☺️
Seclusion 101 with AnneMarie 